To Fight COVID-19, This Firm Converts Snorkeling Mask Into Ventilator With 3D Printing
Isinnova a local Italian 3D printer business has come up with a unique solution to fight the shortage of ventilators at the time of ongoing crisis. The company has managed to make a 3D printed adapter that is able to turn a snorkeling mask into a C-PAP mask for oxygen therapy.
3D-printing has proved its mettle time and again, being the test bed for products made from raw materials in a way that was never thought of before. Come the time of Coronavirus scare and here is the technology acting as a saviour yet again. This time to make the much needed ventilators, out of snorkelling masks!
Isinnova, a local Italian 3D printer business has come up with a unique solution to fight the shortage of ventilators at the time of ongoing crisis. The company has managed to make a 3D printed adapter that is able to turn a snorkeling mask into a C-PAP mask for oxygen therapy. For those unaware, the C-PAP masks are being used to treat the severe Coronavirus cases.
3D Printed Ventilator (Image: Isinnova)
The idea for the adapter was borne in the mind of Renato Favero, head physician at Gardone Valtrompia Hospital in Italy. Favero then got in touch with Isinnova to execute the idea and come up with an easily executable plan for the same.
As per a blog, the company then approached ¡°Easybreath¡± snorkeling maker Decathlon. Decathlon ¡°was immediately willing to cooperate,¡± as per Isinnova. A 3D printed prototype was then made and was found to be ¡°correctly working¡±. The blog even mentions the hospital staff to be ¡°enthusiastic about the idea.¡±
¡°Doctor Favero shared with us an idea to fix the possible shortage of hospital C-PAP masks for sub-intensive therapy, which is emerging as a concrete problem linked to the spread of Covid-19,¡± the post reads. ¡°It¡¯s the construction of an emergency ventilator mask, realized by adjusting a snorkeling mask already available on the market.¡±
The company has even released a DIY video of how to make the ventilator using the snorkelling mask. For that, you would need the 3D printed adapter designed by the company. Isinnova has shared the design for the same on its website for anyone to download and carry on with the DIY process.
Though the mask is deemed to be a success, a full scale production of the masks has not been carried out yet. That is because ¡°Neither the mask nor the link are certified and their use is subject to a situation of mandatory need,¡± as the company points out. The company even mentioned that patients using the device will have to sign a declaration.
